Music Makers

Reading the Psalms quickly reminds those who worship God that the tradition of musical expression is strong in our past and reasonably should be strong in our present.
The call to praise the Lord is a call to “sing a new song” and to praise God for his mighty acts. The methods and means for praise appear largely unlimited in scope as we hear the Psalmist call upon all of creation to praise the Lord utilizing all available means…the sound of the trumpet, the psaltery and harp, the timbrel and dance, stringed instruments and organs, cymbals and high sounding cymbals. Vocally and instrumentally, we have every reason to praise our God and that begs the question…Do you share in making music unto the Lord? Do you participate in singing and praising and yes, dancing for the glory of God? Do you have a heart of thanks and gratitude that abounds with rejoicing and witness to the God of our salvation? Do you use musical abilities to play instruments and offer expressions of worship through music?

On any given Sunday, I must confess that what I see in congregational singing participation is at best weak and often lethargic! And we are honestly regarded as “musically blessed” in light of the capacity and abilities of many of our members to sing. May I suggest that what is lacking may be one of two things. First, some think they do not have the ability to “make a joyful noise” unto the Lord. Some feel they lack the ability to “keep a rhythm.” Some think that the sound they make is too lacking in melodic expression. It is true that for many these are challenges, but all can be overcome.

The second and significant problem may be a spiritual one. If you do not prepare yourself to worship the Lord, then likely you will not. To worship is to offer something of yourself. Part of your worship of the Lord your God is your witness, your expression of praise, your prayer, your offering, your giving from your heart the testimony of your thanks. If you do not sing, because you seem not to have the heart for it, then consider the need for a “spiritual check-up.” Is unconfessed sin stifling your spirit? Is broken fellowship hurting your witness and capacity to worship?” Is there a lack of spiritual attentiveness and focus in your daily walk with God? Are you reading the scriptures and learning to follow the way of Jesus? As you consider such matters, talk to God about your needs and struggles and ask for His help to give you a rejoicing heart.

In worship, begin with using your hymnal. Pick it up and turn to the page of music as we sing. Take note of the words. They are broken down by syllables to follow the phrasing of the music. Listen to the song as it is sung or played, the next verse will follow the same pattern. By the third or fourth verse, you can learn the song, even if you did not know it at the start. Many who do not read notes can listen and learn. Reading notes is not that hard either. My mother taught six year olds how to do it and they learned to press keys on a piano to match. You can learn too. Teach your children to follow along in the hymnal the same way, it will help them learn to read more proficiently and to sound out words. The hymnal is a tool for worship that includes songs of many types relating to many subjects, but the focus of them all is the worship of God.

A scripture passage that has long been one of my favorites was imprinted on the dedication page of the 1956 Baptist Hymnal and is a strong reminder to us all:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” - Colossians 3:16